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Soviet officers provide a sketch of the existing communist movement in northern and southern Korea in 1945 and suggest that Kim Il Sung should be a leading candidate to head the Korean government.

June 26, 1950

Top Secret Report on the Military Situation in South Korea from Shtykov to Comrade Zakharov

Report from Shtykov to Zakharov detailing North Korean advances on the first day of the Korean War. Included is a list of conclusions drawn up by Shtykov regarding the conduct of Northern and Southern forces thus far.

June 30, 1950

30 June Report of the High Command of the DPRK People's Army

A report from the Korean People's Army on events in the Korean War from June 25 through June 30, 1950.

July 17, 1950

Decree No 18 of the DPRK Military Committee of 17 July 1950: The Food Situation in Seoul

A DPRK military report on the occupation of Seoul during the Korean War.

August 11, 1950

The Political Situation in Korea during the Period of Military Operations

A report on the Korean War from June through August 1950, including discussions on the start of the conflict, news media in North and South Korea, the air war, and the North Korean occupation of Seoul.

September 27, 1950

Telegram from Matveyev (Razuvayev V.N.) to Stalin

Matveyev describes the state of the Korean People’s Army, particularly the severe status of troops in Seoul and Busan after having encountered American air and ground forces. Matveyev also reports on a meeting between several Soviet and Korean foreign ministers in which Kim Il Sung assumed the tasks of both Supreme Commander-in-Chief and Defense Minister and ordered the deployment of troops northward. Matveyev also outlines the steps he plans to take as a Soviet envoy in aiding the desperate Korean army.

Stalin blames the recent success of the UN forces in Seoul on the inefficiency of the KPA’s Frontline Command and Soviet military advisors, as well erroneous use of tank tactics and overall combat strategy. Stalin provides a detailed list instructing military advisors, and especially Vasilyev, how to delpoy and manage Korean troops around Seoul.

September 29, 1950

Telegram from Shtykov to Gromyko and Stalin

Shtykov gives an insider’s report of a meeting with Kim Il Sung and Pak Heon-yeong, in which they discussed the current desperate state of the KPA, possible advancement of the US forces over the 38th parallel and the extent of the enemy’s knowledge of Soviet Union deliveries to North Korea. Kim asks for advice concerning the appeal for military aid that the Political Council of the Worker’s Party of Korea plans to send to Stalin. Shytkov comments on the nervousness and desperation of the Korean officials.

Telegram from Shtykov to Gromyko and Stalin reporting the dire circumstances into which the North Koreans had fallen in the wake of the Incheon landings. Mentioned is a correspondence between the North Koreans and Mao which hinted at possible Chinese aid.

Li Kenong's telegram discusses the neutral zone, troop retreats, and other terms of the armistice.

May 17, 1954

Letter, Mayor Taeson Kim to General Maxwell D. Taylor

While stationed in Korea, only the United States Army authorities had access to the facilities (park and pools) in the Seoul City Command. Mayor Kim is requesting General Taylor to repair and return these buildings to the Seoul Special City in order to prepare Korean athletes for the Olympics.

May 20, 1961

Telegram from Ambassador Schneidewind on the Situation in Korea

GDR Ambassador Schneidewind discusses anti-communist demonstrations in North Korea and South Korea's military coup.

May 31, 1972

Conversation between Park Chung Hee and Pak Seong-cheol

Park Chung Hee and Pak Seong-cheol discuss their commitment to the three principles of Korean unification, the need to create an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect, and the importance of resolving humanitarian issues through Red Cross meetings at Panmunjeom in order to encourage progress in higher-level discussions.

December 01, 1972

Note on Information by DPRK Deputy Foreign Minister Comrade Ri Man-seok on 28 November 1972 for the Ambassadors and Acting Ambassadors of Poland, Czechoslovakia and the GDR between 1200 and 1330 hours in the Foreign Ministry

Ri Man-seok provides a brief on the fourth session of Red Cross negotiations held in Seoul and the domestic political situation of South Korea under the Park Chung Hee regime.

March 09, 1973

Meeting Minutes between Director Kim and Counselor Pierce

Director Kim and Counselor Pierce discuss about the visit of U.S. officials to Seoul and a clash along the DMZ.

October 22, 1977

Telegram 085374 from the Romanian Embassy in Washington, DC, to the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Upon Jimmy Carter's election, the DPRK makes efforts to initiate a dialogue with the US government. Carter responds positively but with the condition of including the ROK representatives.